The Baller League is an indoor six-a-side football competition that originated in Germany in 2024, created by entrepreneur Felix Starck, with backing from professional footballers Mats Hummels and Lukas Podolski. The league combines professional football elements with entertainment, incorporating celebrities, influencers, and ex-professional footballers as managers and players. Following the success of the German edition, the league expanded to the United Kingdom in March 2025 and to the United States in March 2026.
History The Baller League was launched in 2024 in Germany, inspired by the success of the Kings League in Spain. It was conceptualized to merge traditional football with elements of entertainment to appeal to a younger demographic.
Following the German edition's success, major expansions were announced in November 2024, with new editions set to launch in the United Kingdom and the United States in 2025. British YouTuber KSI was named president of the UK edition, while American livestreamer IShowSpeed was appointed president of the US edition. The inaugural UK edition began on 24 March 2025 at London's Copper Box Arena. In September 2025, Baller League USA was formally announced, with the first season to be held in Miami, Florida, initially slated to launch in January 2026 at a purpose-built arena in Tropical Park. The US league would later be delayed to March 2026. Baller League would put its German operations on pause in January 2026 in order to focus on the UK, USA and other potential markets.
Format The league follows a six-a-side format with 12 teams, each consisting of a 12-player squad selected through a draft system. Matches last 30 minutes, divided into two 15-minute halves. The league also incorporates several unique rules:
Gamechanger: Each team has the opportunity to introduce a "Gamechanger" card before kickoff, allowing the implementation of special in-game modifications. Rule twists: Rule twists will be introduced during the final three minutes of each half, including three v three, long-range goals counting as double and goalkeepers not allowed to use their hands. Wildcards: Managers also get two wildcards per game week, which means they can bring anyone to feature in their team for that match. Corners: There are no corners - instead, if the ball goes off an opposing player and behind the goal three times, a penalty is given. Penalty: If a penalty is awarded, a player will do a MLS-style one v one penalties against the goalkeeper with only six seconds on the clock to try and score. White flag: Managers can throw in a white flag to challenge a refereeing decision. The top four teams in the league will qualify for the play-offs, known as the Final Four in Baller League UK and Germany and the Finals in Baller League USA, with two semi-finals and a final to decide a champion.
Baller League Germany Teams and managers The German Baller League included 12 teams, each managed by a notable figure from sports, entertainment, and social media. The teams and managers from the season 3 were as follows.
+TeamManager(s)Beton BerlinCalcio BerlinEintracht SpandauFC NitroGolden XIGönrgy AllstarsHollywood UnitedKäfigtigerLas Ligas LadiesProtatosStreets UnitedVFR Zimbos
In previous seasons, the following managers were also involved: Alisha Lehmann (later co-manager of MVPs United in Baller League UK), Felix Lobrecht, Abdi Rackzman and (as his team, Hardstuck Royale, quit after the first Baller League Germany season; Trymacs later moved to Kings League Germany). Marco Reus was to also manage a team for Season 4 prior to Baller League Germany's pause.
Results SeasonFinal Four venueFinalSemi-finalistsRefWinnersScoreRunners-up 1 (2024)PSD Bank Dome, BerlinStreets United7–5Calcio BerlinLas Ligas Ladies and Eintracht Spandau 2 (2024)PSD Bank Dome, BerlinLas Ligas Ladies4–3Gönrgy AllstarsBeton Berlin and FC Nitro 3 (2025)Hangar 7 (Berlin Tempelhof Airport), BerlinStreets United7–1Gönrgy AllstarsCalcio Berlin and Hollywood United
Baller League UK Teams and managers Baller League UK includes 12 teams, each managed by a notable figure from sports, entertainment, and social media. The teams and managers are as follows. +TeamManager(s)
Former teams +TeamManager(s)Season(s)1 and 2 (2025–26)3 (2026)1 (2025)1 and 2 (2025–26)1 and 2 (2025–26)1 (2025)1 (2025)1–3 (2025–26)
Results SeasonFinal Four venueFinalSemi-finalistsRefWinnersScoreRunners-up1 (2025)The O2 Arena, LondonSDS FC4–3 MVPs UnitedDeportrio and Yanited2 (2025–26)Copper Box Arena, LondonWembley Rangers AFC4–3SDS FCM7 FC and NDL FC3 (2026)The O2 Arena, LondonPrime FC5–2NDL FCSDS FC and Deportrio
Season 1
Baller League USA Baller League USA consists of 10 teams managed by a notable figures from sports, entertainment, and social media. The first eight sets of managers were announced on September 16, 2025. On December 10, 2025, Westcol was announced as a manager; he had previously been in Kings League Americas as co-chairman of West Santos FC.
Teams and managers +TeamManager(s)
Results SeasonFinals venueFinalSemi-finalistsRefWinnersScoreRunners-up1 (2026)Tropical Park, MiamiSuper Niños FC6–2 Club 360Speed United and Midnight Wizards
Reception The league has been praised for its innovative approach to football and for engaging younger audiences through its combination of entertainment and sport. Its introduction to the UK market has further expanded its global reach and popularity.
See also Kings League – Spanish counterpart that influenced the Baller League – German five-a-side league
Notes
References
External links Official Baller League Germany website Official Baller League UK website Official Baller League US website